2.5L I4 (QR25DE)
- Oil viscosity
- 0W-20
- Oil capacity
- 4.9 qt with filter
- Oil spec
- API SN or later
- Timing drive
- Chain, no scheduled service
- Spark plugs
- Iridium
- Coolant
- Nissan Long Life (blue)
L33 (2013 to 2018)
2018 Nissan Altima Maintenance Schedule
Enter the current mileage to see what needs attention, then use the milestones below to plan the work ahead.
Review status Aug 11, 2026 Verification against the printed manual in progress
BodySedan
DriveFWD
TransmissionCVT (Xtronic)
Engines2 available
01 / Full schedule
Service points by mileage
Grouped the way a service booklet reads. Costs are broad national shop ranges; severe use shortens the intervals shown in that column.
| Service item | Action | Normal interval | Severe use | Shop range | DIY |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine oil | Replace | 7,500 mi / 12 mo | 5,000 mi / 6 mo | $65 to $125 | Light |
| Oil filter | Replace | 7,500 mi / 12 mo | 5,000 mi / 6 mo | Included in service | Light |
| Tire rotation | Rotate | Every 7,500 mi | 5,000 mi | $25 to $60 | Light |
| Service item | Action | Normal interval | Severe use | Shop range | DIY |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Front brake pads | Inspect | 10,000 mi / 12 mo | Same | $150 to $320 | Moderate |
| Rear brake pads | Inspect | 10,000 mi / 12 mo | Same | $150 to $320 | Moderate |
| Service item | Action | Normal interval | Severe use | Shop range | DIY |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brake lines and hoses | Inspect | 15,000 mi / 12 mo | Same | Up to $60 | Light |
| Cabin air filter | Replace | 15,000 mi / 12 mo | Same | $45 to $95 | Easy |
| Suspension and steering inspection | Inspect | 15,000 mi / 12 mo | Same | Up to $90 | Light |
| Service item | Action | Normal interval | Severe use | Shop range | DIY |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine air filter | Replace | Every 30,000 mi | 15,000 mi | $35 to $75 | Easy |
| Shocks and struts | Inspect | Every 30,000 mi | Same | $600 to $1400 | Involved |
| Service item | Action | Normal interval | Severe use | Shop range | DIY |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CVT fluid | Replace | Every 60,000 mi | 30,000 mi | $160 to $340 | Moderate |
| Serpentine belt | Inspect | First at 60,000 mi, then every 15,000 mi | Same | $90 to $200 | Light |
| Service item | Action | Normal interval | Severe use | Shop range | DIY |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine coolant | Replace | First at 105,000 mi, then every 75,000 mi | Same | $130 to $260 | Moderate |
| Spark plugs | Replace | Every 105,000 mi | Same | $150 to $420 | Moderate |
| Service item | Action | Normal interval | Severe use | Shop range | DIY |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Battery | Test | Every 12 mo | Same | $160 to $320 | Light |
| Battery terminal cleaning | Clean | Every 12 mo | Same | Up to $40 | Easy |
| Brake fluid | Flush | Every 24 mo | 12 mo | $90 to $160 | Moderate |
| Tire pressure | Inspect | Every 1 mo | Same | Up to $10 | Easy |
| Washer fluid | Inspect | Every 1 mo | Same | Up to $10 | Easy |
| Wiper blades | Inspect | Every 6 mo | Same | $30 to $80 | Easy |
Time limits still apply when you drive fewer miles than the interval. Calendar-based items are listed in their own group above.
02 / Engine and fluids
The specs people need at the parts counter
Confirm the engine before buying fluids, filters, or ignition parts. Capacities and specs differ between them.
3.5L V6 (VQ35DE)
- Oil viscosity
- 5W-30
- Oil capacity
- 5.1 qt with filter
- Oil spec
- API SN or later
- Timing drive
- Chain, no scheduled service
- Spark plugs
- Iridium
- Coolant
- Nissan Long Life (blue)
Common tire sizes 215/60R16215/55R17235/45R18
03 / The year in context
What this schedule asks of you
The 2018 Altima runs the L33 generation with a 2.5L four or 3.5L V6, both through the Xtronic CVT. Nissan publishes two maintenance charts and this page maps them directly: the gentler Schedule 2 as normal and the demanding Schedule 1 as severe. Most mixed suburban driving honestly belongs on Schedule 1.
The CVT deserves the attention this page gives it. The transmission is sensitive to fluid condition, repairs are priced like engines, and the fluid itself is a routine service. Owners who change NS-3 on a disciplined habit generally avoid the failures that built the reputation of this transmission.
Beyond the CVT the car is inexpensive: chain-driven engines, 105,000-mile plugs and first coolant, and commodity filters. The V6 adds displacement and a quart of capacity but shares every interval.
SEV
Shorter intervals
Do you use the severe schedule?
Frequent short trips, towing, dusty roads, extreme temperatures, and long idling shorten the intervals. The severe column in the table above shows by how much; the toggle in the mileage check applies it.
Check severe-use timing04 / Worth knowing
Before you book service
- 01
Every L33 Altima uses the Xtronic CVT, and this CVT family is the defining reliability question of the car. Fresh NS-3 fluid on a 30,000 to 60,000-mile habit is the single most valuable line on this schedule.
- 02
The four-cylinder takes 0W-20 while the V6 stays on 5W-30; capacities differ too, so the engine matters at checkout.
- 03
Both engines are chain driven. There is no timing belt line at any mileage.
- 04
The Nissan brake fluid chart is unusually short at roughly two years; following it protects the ABS actuator, which is not a cheap part.
- 05
2018 is the final L33 year, so aftermarket parts coverage for this platform is fully mature.
05 / Cost outlook
What routine service may cost
Estimated from this schedule over five years or 60,000 miles of normal driving. Parts, labor rates, location, and condition all move the total; treat these as planning figures.
5 years / 60K at a shop $1,300 to $2,850 Independent shop rates
DIY parts estimate $440 to $1,200 Routine items only
Some links below are affiliate links. If you buy through them, this site earns a commission at no extra cost to you. See the full disclosure.
Find parts for this Altima
- Engine oilAmazon AutoZone O'Reilly Auto Parts
- Engine air filterAmazon AutoZone O'Reilly Auto Parts
- Cabin air filterAmazon AutoZone O'Reilly Auto Parts
- Wiper bladesAmazon AutoZone O'Reilly Auto Parts
- Front brake padsAmazon AutoZone O'Reilly Auto Parts
- BatteryAmazon AutoZone O'Reilly Auto Parts
08 / Common questions
2018 Altima service answers
01 How often does a 2018 Nissan Altima need an oil change?
The published interval is every 7,500 miles or 12 months, whichever comes first. Under severe conditions such as short trips, towing, dust, or extreme temperatures, the interval drops to 5,000 miles.
02 Does the 2018 Nissan Altima have a timing belt or a timing chain?
Every available engine, the 2.5L I4 (QR25DE) and the 3.5L V6 (VQ35DE), uses a timing chain. There is no scheduled timing belt replacement.
03 What oil does the 2018 Nissan Altima take, and how much?
2.5L I4 (QR25DE): 0W-20, 4.9 quarts with filter. 3.5L V6 (VQ35DE): 5W-30, 5.1 quarts with filter. Confirm the grade printed in the owner's manual before buying.
04 When do the spark plugs need to be replaced on a 2018 Nissan Altima?
The schedule calls for spark plugs every 105,000 miles.
05 Does the 2018 Nissan Altima ever need CVT fluid changes?
Plan on CVT fluid every 60,000 miles, or 30,000 miles under severe use. Use NS-3 fluid only. Given the repair costs of this CVT family, treating 30,000 to 60,000 miles as a firm habit is the cheapest reliability upgrade available.
06 When does the 2018 Nissan Altima need a coolant change?
Engine coolant is first due at 105,000 miles, then every 75,000 miles. The specified coolant is Nissan Long Life (blue).
07 What counts as severe service for the 2018 Nissan Altima?
Repeated trips under about five miles, extended idling, stop-and-go traffic in heat, dusty or gravel roads, towing, and sustained sub-freezing starts. If a few of those describe a typical week, use the severe column in the table above; most manufacturers write their fine print around exactly that kind of driving.
09 / Sources
Where this schedule came from
- 2018 Nissan Altima Owner's Manual, maintenance section Accessed 2026-08-11
- 2018 Nissan Service and Maintenance Guide Accessed 2026-08-11
Reference only. Confirm the schedule for your exact vehicle in the owner's manual. This site is not affiliated with Nissan or any manufacturer.
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